tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post2753396194211340631..comments2024-03-18T08:51:07.314+00:00Comments on i b i k e l o n d o n: What's stopping women from cycling?ibikelondonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-56569670011074276942022-08-19T04:36:33.219+01:002022-08-19T04:36:33.219+01:00v9i45v7y48 z2m29z8k46 a3j27b2p12 k5k13h4z75 m4... <a href="https://nesler81209.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>v9i45v7y48</strong></a> z2m29z8k46 <a href="https://nashesl15865.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>a3j27b2p12</strong></a> k5k13h4z75 <a href="https://dosetto27197.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>m4t04s9s59</strong></a> m1u37z8a44mcsaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14732644590239345132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-82811197166017528572012-03-08T12:23:16.378+00:002012-03-08T12:23:16.378+00:00Hi Mark
Have you ever thought of trying to get th...Hi Mark<br /><br />Have you ever thought of trying to get the video onto one of the TV channel’s open access slots?<br /><br />The first thing which occurs to me (aside from the obvious) relates to equipment. Here in London we are lucky enough to have specialist and boutique bike shops which offer alternatives to the mainstream, but if you live in most of non-metropolitan Britain and so have to rely on Halfords or typical local independents, you simply won’t see “roadster” style bikes on display – they may well be available from a catalogue but you don’t get to feel them and try them out before you buy. Instead, what is shoved in front of you is a panoply of race-style, or MTB style machines – ranging from serious, well specced and therefore pricey models through to cheap but completely counterfeit crap. I had a go at Evans once about the fact that they show all their models without mudguards – their response was that you choose your own mudguards (and they add to the ticket price) but I thought they were missing the point – if people think they don’t have mudguards they are likely to think they’ll get coated in crap every time they ride on a rainy day, not that you can just add mudguards.<br /><br />We want to see Halfords actually display some roadsters, ranging from Pashley down through Raleigh and Dawes to their own-label versions which cost much the same as a mediocre MTB, but have step-through frames, mud- and chain-guards, and baskets. Maybe they will have more appeal to women?<br /><br />Certainly, my other half couldn’t be persuaded to cycle at all until I bought her a German “Kettler” lady’s utility bike, for her birthday.<br /><br />Then of course you get into the next big obstacle – nerves. My other half, and indeed most of the adult women I know, don’t like cycling in traffic, hate being squeezed in the gutter by passing cars, but simply will not believe me when I say that they would have a more comfortable experience if they ride out a bit – they hold to the belief that they have to stay close to the kerb. I do have one middle-aged lady friend who now rides a Boris Bike from Waterloo to Hackney to her NHS job without fear, but it took some coaching and a couple of Sunday dry runs to get her started, and I haven’t seen similar success elsewhere.<br /><br />I don’t think that means women won’t ride a bike at all though, but like most men in fact, they only ride away from roads. Go to Alice Holt forest near Farnham any weekend, and you will see a car-park stuffed with cars with bike carriers, and whole families riding the forest trails. Much the same can be said of the Devil’s Punchbowl National Trust cafe car-park, where slightly more agile men and women go to experience a slightly more ambitious off-road experience. The key thing is obviously the absence of 2 tonne metal boxes racing past you.Paul Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07929808238663838155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-26206953588284879822011-08-29T18:11:24.674+01:002011-08-29T18:11:24.674+01:00Nice Analysis; Keep it up!Nice Analysis; Keep it up!Satheeshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760529239078563773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-29946301042141587242011-03-11T17:52:29.422+00:002011-03-11T17:52:29.422+00:00great film.l'm a women and cycling everyday be...great film.l'm a women and cycling everyday because its my transport and its dirt cheap .and its help me fit into my jeans,but l know women who have bikes but never use them .I think its the lack of cycling infrastructure that stop a lot of women cycling,getting wet and having a car to a problem. but l've always had a bike l love not having to wait for the bus or paying lots of money to drive my own car about.lolElizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12508701754657972770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-25951164108716080042010-10-05T16:03:46.372+01:002010-10-05T16:03:46.372+01:00Just found this via the mention on the Guardian si...Just found this via the mention on the Guardian site today. I lived in London for two years (moved back to the US in May). I bought a Brompton the first month I was there, meaning to make it my regular transit, rode it for a couple of weeks, and then gave up. <br /><br />The inadequate cycling lanes and the traffic and the frequent deaths of mostly female cyclists were factors in my decision. But the main reason was the other cyclists, who were incredibly aggressive and rude. I just wanted to ride along, like the women in the pictures from the Netherlands, but there would be men in lycra constantly whizzing by within about an inch of me.<br /><br />The other thing that put me off cycling was the terrible behavior by the small percentage of (again, almost entirely male) self-righteous, smug cyclists who feel they have more right to the road than vehicles or pedestrians. I got so sick of cyclists riding on the pavement or nearly knocking me down as I was crossing the street on a green light (and they were merrily riding through red lights). I do have to say, though, that they act the same in San Francisco.<br /><br />So I think making cycling more popular requires (a) better infrastructure and perceived safety, as you say, and (b) much more stringent enforcement by the police against badly behaved cyclists as well as drivers.<br /><br />MorganAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-71730147750336865892010-09-03T23:24:18.611+01:002010-09-03T23:24:18.611+01:00They're scared.They're scared.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-32337037376916623992010-03-20T19:39:17.388+00:002010-03-20T19:39:17.388+00:00Hi Ann, shhhhh, you're not supposed to say tha...Hi Ann, shhhhh, you're not supposed to say that out loud! You have to go at it from a slightly more subtle angle. But, erm *ahem* yes, the comments speak for themselves really don't they?<br /><br />Markibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-67131408599806307642010-03-20T15:55:27.527+00:002010-03-20T15:55:27.527+00:00Thanks for this video, it's fun. I've rea...Thanks for this video, it's fun. I've read all the posts and there's one single reason that comes up all the time - safer routes. Can we get LCC to spend less time faffing with soft measures and more time on the difficult hard stuff, fighting for motor-free cycling? I don't care how many mirrors lorries have, I'm not going anywhere near them if I can help it.<br /><br />AnnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-15608638144918658202010-03-18T21:29:38.788+00:002010-03-18T21:29:38.788+00:00It was nice to see what I missed as I registered f...It was nice to see what I missed as I registered for the ride but was in bed all day with a rare migraine, grr! My only criticism is the sound quality of the interviewees. As you did not have them miked up, and they were outside with a lot of background noise, I could barely make out a word. You need to get them far, far closer to the camera next time, and out of the wind!Bikegrrrlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-57580583340291706122010-03-18T11:41:58.596+00:002010-03-18T11:41:58.596+00:00"where cyclists have been hit by cars but not..."where cyclists have been hit by cars but not wearing both they have been made to take less compensation as the driver's solicitors have argued that they have purposefully made themselves inconspicuous" -OMG, this is outrageous! If the gear is not compulsory, solicitors should not argue with purposefulness. This is the same argumentation used for the defence of rapists, blaming the victim for "triggering" the attack.<br />I read the LCC website regularly, and review it for the Hungarian cycling community, I consider their advocacy work outstanding and examplary. I also linked this post to the mailing list of our cyclist advocacy organisation, we might consider organising a similar event next year.<br />Pedal on, good luck and many readers to your blog, and more cyclists on the roads of London.Szciklonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03281426712576955868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-4641172621046547482010-03-18T11:34:22.798+00:002010-03-18T11:34:22.798+00:00Hello Szciklon, and welcome from Hungary!
I agree...Hello Szciklon, and welcome from Hungary!<br /><br />I agree that these 'builder's vests' are not attractive, and help to make cycling seem 'alien' to those who might otherwise consider it.<br />It's a personal choice here in the UK whether or not you should wear a helmet or any high vis material, but sadly where cyclists have been hit by cars but not wearing both they have been made to take less compensation as the driver's solicitors have argued that they have purposefully made themselves inconspicuous. I know, it's sad, and blames the victim.<br /><br />Of course no amount of helmets and high vis vests will make cycling more safer; for that we need more cyclists (and more motorists cycling), but how to achieve this was the whole point of the video...<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br />Markibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-16405021156681740142010-03-18T10:55:40.467+00:002010-03-18T10:55:40.467+00:00Hello, I'm writing from Budapest, Hungary.
I ...Hello, I'm writing from Budapest, Hungary. <br />I just wonder what's this enthusiasm about these reflective vests, they are all around in the video.<br />In Hungary we call them "dustmen's vest", and it is only compulsory outside cities, at night. <br />Maybe this gear is one reason women do not really want to identify with crazily dressed cyclists. You people should rather promote the "chic" line of cycling. It has been proven that it is not the vest, which saves lives, but the high number of fellow cyclists, including women, on the road.Szciklonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03281426712576955868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-19770235227433042552010-03-14T23:17:38.889+00:002010-03-14T23:17:38.889+00:00Hey Mark: I've been thinking a lot about the c...Hey Mark: I've been thinking a lot about the cycling deaths in London, mentioned in these comments. If you post the email address of the appropriate lawmakers in London, I'll send an email from the U.S. I am on an email list that could easily garner support here for solutions there - it would be good for all cyclists. Let's form a grassroots international coalition - show solidarity. A little press goes a long way. Last week's US Bike Summit in Washington DC certainly revealed a growing trend in the U.S. for support of bike infrastructure and legislation to make cycling safer.<br />Just a thought.Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01790279565171503115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-26891926324465835762010-03-12T22:26:18.154+00:002010-03-12T22:26:18.154+00:00Hello Leigh, great to hear from you. You're f...Hello Leigh, great to hear from you. You're film project about women cycling sounds really interesting (I take it you've seen the Darlington Media Campaign's 'Beauty and the Bike' film?)<br /><br />You don't need to start your own film festival: get yours shown at the Bike Film Festival and redress the balance from within! :o)<br /><br />Let me know if you need a hand with anything.ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-30633326506607738512010-03-12T14:37:15.862+00:002010-03-12T14:37:15.862+00:00Hello Mark
Lucy from LCC has signposted me to you...Hello Mark<br /><br />Lucy from LCC has signposted me to your site and I'm very ppleased she did! I really enjoyed the film and reading all the posts. I am making a film myself called "A Sense of safety" which is about female cyclists in London. It was prompted by my attendance at the Bike Film Festival last year where I didn't really see my experience on the road reflected - I agree with a number of the contributors in your film and on this blog about the reasons for low particpation in cycling in the UK. Maybe we could organise our own festival to redress the balance?!Leigh Andrewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-35185933880625887492010-03-11T14:14:11.192+00:002010-03-11T14:14:11.192+00:00Mark
Thanks for the response - I really feel the ...Mark<br /><br />Thanks for the response - I really feel the cyclists in London do to do something to highlight these deaths - how about a go slow cycle around the mayors office and Westminster in memory of the two people that died - try and get as many people involved for a cycle to highlight these deaths - lets try and make them the last two of this year<br /><br />DHWallAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-44151235550814603492010-03-11T10:27:02.261+00:002010-03-11T10:27:02.261+00:00Hi DHWall
I totally agree that most women (and in...Hi DHWall<br /><br />I totally agree that most women (and indeed most non-cycling men) have been bullied and terrified off of our roads.<br /><br />I'm aware of the two tragic needless deaths that have happened this week and have been working 'behind the scenes' with other cycle campaigners to put pressure on our politicians to try and get firm action on this issue; you'll have noticed that Boris Johnson acknowledged the death and encouraged his 70,000+ twitter followers to watch the new cycle safety video (the first time, we believe, that he has ever replied to anyone on Twitter!) Also, senior Assembly member Jenny Jones has issued a statement calling for an all out ban of lorries in central London during peak times.<br /><br />There is, of course, lots and lots more work to come to help stop another tragedy occurring, so watch this space.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br />Markibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-25092482583857630992010-03-11T10:12:14.154+00:002010-03-11T10:12:14.154+00:00Woman killed yesterday in Hackney by an HGV on a r...Woman killed yesterday in Hackney by an HGV on a roundabout, very sad news. I can see why woman don't want to cycle. We need action against the dangerous traffic in London that not only stops people cycling, but kills people.<br /><br />Also someone was killed on Monday or Tuesday near London Bridge , again by a Lorry, man this time.<br /><br />Very sad<br /><br />Sorry for the bleak comment, but this happens and the governent , police , mayor need to sort it out.<br /><br />DHwallAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-37523988860874857802010-03-10T19:19:48.805+00:002010-03-10T19:19:48.805+00:00Brilliant video, Mike - didn't even notice you...Brilliant video, Mike - didn't even notice you with a camera on Sunday..! <br /><br />See you on the mean streets,<br />JonathanJonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15622597710731693345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-38127085193873310742010-03-09T13:51:31.195+00:002010-03-09T13:51:31.195+00:00Hi Mark,
Thank you so much for documenting the ri...Hi Mark,<br /><br />Thank you so much for documenting the ride. I am the Marketing Mnager at LCC and have been organising and doing a lot of work around promoting cycling amoungst women. <br /><br />This has sparked off some great conversations. We plan to do alot more this year to promote women's cycling so please do get in touch and maybe we could do some work together. lucyc@lcc.org.uk<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />LucyUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01390884236853625803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-70987794254193441762010-03-09T10:03:29.466+00:002010-03-09T10:03:29.466+00:00Mark, great film and a fantatsic first effort! I w...Mark, great film and a fantatsic first effort! I was the ride leader on Sunday and it was great to see so many people turn up to take part in the ride celebrating International Women's Day. t the London Cycling Campaign we find that a lot of novice or more nervous riders turn up on these led rides, as they feel more protected and safer. We hope that by taking part more women are inspired to cycle independently and part of that is showing them quieter and off-road routes. As you said in the film, the part you enjoyed most was the off-road wide stretch of Burgess Park. Even the most confidenct cyclist takes pleasure in beeing able to switch off from traffic and truly relax. We would love to put a link to the film on oue website and talk to you more about the film so please get in touch on 020 7234 9310. <br />Many thanks<br /><br />RosieUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15705415045702916032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-29253048742399035292010-03-09T09:57:58.420+00:002010-03-09T09:57:58.420+00:00Thanks, all for your kind comments about the video...Thanks, all for your kind comments about the video.<br /><br />I agree Anna, that there is an image problem within cycling itself; too many cyclists boast about 'their macho ability to ride in the road'; this is never going to encourage us mere mortals to get on our bikes. I think the way to change this is with the way we present ourselves on the road - it comes down to the individual.<br /><br />@Helen in Portland - the learn to cycle clinics sound like a great idea. It brakes my heart that there are adults in the Western World who didn't grow up cycling. Let's hope those efforts will go some way towards rectifying that.<br /><br />@Philip - yep, that's me, doing my David Attenborough impersonation! Thanks for sharing the vid, and I'm sure there will be more in the future.<br /><br />Markibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-86540272510729430592010-03-09T08:05:17.959+00:002010-03-09T08:05:17.959+00:00Lovely video, you put in a lot of effort. Well, wh...Lovely video, you put in a lot of effort. Well, what I think is one of the problem is the "heroic" image of cycling. Many male cyclists I know like to show off about themselves cycling in traffic. They do it in their daily life, but not without pride. This doesn't appeal to most women and also makes them even more scared of trying. So I think it's not just a gender problem, the problem is also how cyclists is represented these days (by all-geared-up and "fearless" men).annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-67115476802158103562010-03-09T07:37:20.411+00:002010-03-09T07:37:20.411+00:00Helen from Portland, Oregon here. Loved the video!...Helen from Portland, Oregon here. Loved the video! There is a gender gap here as well. 30% of Portland commuters on bikes are women. (I'm one of them.) I think you hit on most of the reasons more women don't ride. For a mom, it's not just hauling the kids around on a bike, but many of us are responsible for the majority of household tasks and errands - groceries, getting the kids to school and soccer and the dentist, etc., in addition to working. This can be daunting on two wheels. I also know many women who never learned to ride. There are clinics here, run by both men and women, to teach women to ride and to do basic to advanced maintenance on our bikes. I never learned to change a flat until I was nearly 50 years old! Keep up the discussion. Let's encourage more women to experience the joy of riding!Helen McConnellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-40909870885676209612010-03-08T23:07:00.742+00:002010-03-08T23:07:00.742+00:00Hey Mark!
Just had the chance to watch the video. ...Hey Mark!<br />Just had the chance to watch the video. Very nice, very well produced. You did that? I'm impressed! It's nice to hear your voice too after all our discussions. I'm going to post this on the Lambeth Cyclists Yahoo group.<br />Keep 'em coming!<br />PhilipPhilip Loyhttp://twitter.com/philiploynoreply@blogger.com